The downstairs area of the high school library replaced its furniture this school year. According to Library Media Specialist Nancy Carlson, the Board of Education reviews building furniture at the high school approximately every 10 years. Following their assessment of the high school library, whose furniture has remained unchanged for at least 15 years or so, the Board decided to approve the purchase of new furniture.

Students can now use brand new tables and chairs located throughout the first floor including high top tables and high chairs in the rear, new tables, and chairs in the central area of the library, as well as new chairs in the computer section. A semicircular, red sofa is now available in the corner of the computer section.

Furthermore, the new low tables with cube seats will gain builtin charging capabilities this coming January. Much of the new furniture is lighter and easier to transport and store than the furniture they replaced. “. . . these tables . . . the tops flip up and they stack, so they don’t take up as much room. Plus, they’re not nearly as heavy,” Carlson said.

The new chairs are able to provide more give as students lean back. Assistant Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Wynne asked Carlson to select the new furniture. To help her determine what to purchase, Carlson consulted with Library Media Specialist Alysson Olsen at Irving A. Robbins Middle School (IAR). Last year, IAR renovated their library and also replaced their furniture.

After visiting IAR, Carlson purchased the same tables found in the middle school library from the Robert H. Lord Company based in Manchester, Connecticut. Carlson had considered potential furniture purchases in the past. During the planning process for a potential new high school, Carlson and former Department Leader of Library, Media, and Technology K-12 Martha Burr looked into more modern furniture for the media center of the proposed school building.

With regard to the altered furnishings in the current library, Carlson has received positive feedback.

“I was actually pretty surprised at first . . . But then, I kind of got used to it. And it’s actually much better,” senior Amy Xu said.

The mezzanine of the library did not receive new furniture.